Gas for a lawnmower is a tricky subject. It seems like everyone has an opinion on what type of gas to use and how much to put in the mower. The truth is that many different factors go into choosing which fuel will work best for your lawnmower. In this guide, we’ll discuss some of those factors so you can make an informed decision when it comes time to fill up the tank!
Table of Contents
Best gas for lawn mower
What kind of gas is best for lawn mower engines?
Many people wonder what kind of gas is best to use. There are a few different types, but two that seem most popular for lawn mowers are ethanol-free gasoline and premium octane fuel. The type you choose depends on the engine design of your specific model and how much power it produces when running at peak efficiency. Keep in mind that not every type will work with all engines, so if you have questions about whether or not one of these fuels would suit your needs, then be sure to check instructions for your engine!
Premium octane has been shown to burn more smoothly than other options and produce fewer emissions, which means many manufacturers recommend this option for those who want their equipment’s lifespan extended while also experiencing a quieter, smoother ride.
Ethanol-free gasoline is often the best option for equipment with smaller engines and those who are looking to save on fuel costs in general, but it’s not ideal if you’re worried about long-term wear and tear or want to maximize power at all times!
The type of gas used can make an impact on how much maintenance your lawnmower needs too. Premium octane has been shown to reduce engine knocking when gas gets too low, while ethanol-free gasoline may lead to more frequent clogs and other problems down the line. Consider these factors before deciding which fuel will work best for your specific needs!
Once you know the type of engine in your lawnmower, you can quickly determine the type of gas necessary to keep your machine working.
Four-Stroke Engines
The most popular type of engine for lawn mowers is a four-stroke. It’s also the safest and most reliable option as it requires far less maintenance than other types, making it perfect if you’re looking to avoid any unnecessary problems in the future!
A four-stroke engine can be identified by two valves that open at different times during an operation cycle; one opens on the downward stroke while the second valve stays closed until after combustion has occurred. This means there are two power strokes per revolution instead of just one like with a three-cycle engine.
When considering which fuel would work best for your specific needs, many things come into play: You have to make sure you use gas without ethanol (if possible) and with a high octane rating (usually 91 or higher). This type of fuel has been shown to reduce engine knocking, which means you’ll need less maintenance over time.
If your goal is to maximize power at all times, then be sure that the gas you use contains premium additives to increase the energy released during combustion.
The best option for those who want their equipment’s lifespan extended while also experiencing quieter operation would be ethanol-free gasoline, as it burns more smoothly than other types! Be aware that these fuels may cost more, but they’re worth it if long-term wear and tear is something you care about.
Two-Stroke Engines
The other type of engine found on a lawnmower is the two-stroke. This design has been around since the late 1800s and offers some different benefits over its popular counterpart. Still, it requires more frequent maintenance than others to keep operating reliably.
A two-cycle gasoline engine’s piston will turn twice for every crank revolution instead of once like with a four-stroke engine; this means that there is just one power stroke per crankshaft rotation, unlike with a four-stroke model where there are two.
Some people might be wary about using ethanol fuels as they have fewer octane levels than premium gas or regular fuel, so you’re likely going to need to make sure your equipment isn’t exposed to extreme temperatures if you want to avoid experiencing engine knock.
Two-stroke engines are more responsive than four-strokes, but they do require a bit more gas simultaneously, which may make them less economical in the long run versus other types of equipment!
You also have an option when it comes down to oil for your engine; depending on what type is used will depend on how often you need to change it and whether or not maintenance checks should be done annually instead of semi-annually (which is usually recommended). Be sure that whatever type is selected has been tested for use with two-stroke gasoline mowers before applying anything!
These instructions can save you from any unnecessary breakdowns, so be sure to follow all guidelines carefully when refueling your machine.
Do I need a Fuel Stabilizer for a lawnmower?
For those who have a gas-powered lawnmower, one of the most important questions you may face is how to store gasoline for use properly. A fuel stabilizer will keep your gas fresh and avoid any problems that might arise when using it next season if stored in an appropriate container or tank.
If you decide not to add a stabilizer, make sure your mower has been fully drained from all fluids before storing, as this can help prevent corrosion and other issues from arising over time.
You also need to consider whether or not the type of gas offered meets EPA standards so that you’re able to protect yourself against future fines! All fuels should contain no more than 15% ethanol by volume, but some fuels will have a higher ethanol content than those that are not, and you’ll need to look for information about this if you’re concerned.
If the gas pump doesn’t offer any labeling or has just an “E” on it, then be sure to ask before filling up your tank!
How much gas does a lawnmower use?
Do you have a push lawn mower or a riding mower? The answer much depends on the make and model of your lawnmower. For any lawnmower, you should be able to consult the owner’s manual on the specific liters for your gas tank.
- Walk-behind mowers typically only need up to half-gallon the most. However, the capacity of the tank may be more.
- However, a medium-sized riding mower typically holds about two gallons.
- Larger tractors and riding mowers may have gas tanks that accept three to four gallons.
A lawnmower typically uses around one gallon of gasoline for each hour it runs. That’s 0.25 gallons per minute or roughly four to five minutes driving time, which is how fast most people motor about properties with a gas-powered machine in tow. For instance, if you use the mower on your yard for two hours every week, then you would be using eight gallons of gas per year—or $56 depending on the price!
Where to buy gas for a lawnmower?
Where gas for lawn mower is sold depends on where you live. In rural areas, it may be possible to find a gas station where one can fill up their tank with gasoline or other fuel; in more densely populated areas such as towns and cities, this will not always be the case. Alternatively, many independent shops specialize exclusively in selling fuels of all types. Here’s what we recommend:
- Some major chains sell both oil-based (gasoline) products and ethanol blends like E85 from time to time but don’t guarantee they’ll have them all year round.
- Gas stations also come in several different varieties and sizes–some customers prefer full-service pumps while others would rather self-serve.
- Since gas stations are generally either self-service or full-service, it’s important to know what type you’re looking for when deciding where to buy gas. Full-serve fuels may be more expensive, but they offer additional benefits such as free air and water (some customers find useful). Fuel prices fluctuate a great deal from coast to coast and country to country, so if you need help figuring out how much your fuel will cost ahead of time, we recommend using GasBuddy.
- Some areas offer specific types of gasoline that can sometimes lead people who ignore spending extra money on something their vehicle doesn’t actually require–for example, in the United States, most cars run just fine on regular unleaded gasoline even though there are alternative blends available.
- For those who choose to buy gas in a canister or jerrycan, there’s more work required since the fuel must be poured into the mower tank and then transferred using an additional hose (which may not come with your purchase). The upside is that it will last for months as opposed to being used up pretty quickly.
- Finally, if you know what kind of engine your lawn equipment has–whether it runs on gasoline or ethanol-blended fuels like E85–you’ll have a better idea about where you should go when looking for gas.
- A quick word about prices: Gasoline costs vary from place to place, so while one town might offer regular unleaded at $0.97 a gallon, the next town over might have it priced at $0.91 a gallon.
- In addition to that difference in pricing, gas is also sold by volume, so you’ll see prices listed per liter or quart.
- Gasoline with ethanol can be cheaper than gasoline without ethanol if your car’s engine is compatible–read more about compatibility below!
- If one lives somewhere where there are plenty of stations nearby, and competition between them keeps prices low, they will likely find their best deal on fuel for lawn mower buying from the “lowest price” station (instead of paying whatever cost happens to be posted).
Learn How to Gas Up Your Lawn Mower
You’ll need to know the type of lawnmower by the engine. Your owner’s manual should provide you with the exact type of engine and even the best fuel.
There are typically two types of lawnmower engines: four-stroke and two-stroke engines. However, most lawn mowers today have four-stroke engines. Larger engines will have 140-cc to 190-cc. These are made for taller, more robust grass and leaf mulching (for instance, you can find the best lawnmowers for 1 acre here).
How to fill a lawnmower with gas
When purchasing a lawnmower, you should always check that the gas tank and oil chamber are easy to find, as you’ll be maintaining these fuels throughout the lifetime of your mower.
Step 1: Locate the Gas Tank
Most walk-behind lawnmowers have a small plastic tank on the side of the mower or at the back. It’s typically located on one side towards the back in riding mowers, just like a car.
Other mowers have a covered gas tank that’s hidden. You may have to find it underneath a cap or symbol.
Step 2: Remove Gas Cap
Just like a car, you’ll typically need to remove a cap by twisting it counterclockwise. There may also be caps that lock in place or others that require a key.
Step 3: Fill Up Your Tank
Determine what gas is best for your engine. If it’s fresh, unleashed gasoline, you can get the same fuel at a gas station.
It’s best to use a nozzle or funnel to spill gas as you pour. Take your time as you pour and pay attention to the fill line in your gas tank.
Step 4: Tighten the Gas Cap and Go!
After you fill the tank, make sure to put the gas cap back on and tighten it. Your mower should be ready to go.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Up Lawn Mower
Lawnmowers can be finicky machines. This is because they are typically left in storage for many months when it gets colder or used too frequently to cut moist grass. If not cleaned properly, your lawnmower may stop firing up at all.
However, there also cases when fuel damages your lawnmower. For instance, if you drain your lawn mower’s tank before storing it in the winter, you’ll likely have a hard time starting it back up.
- Draining the tank harms your lawn mower’s carburetor
- Small droplets of gas are left behind and typically start to get sticky, like a varnish
- If gas gets stuck in the needle valve tip, the carburetor will be damaged and won’t work properly
- Gas tanks shouldn’t sit empty for long periods as water vapor can get in the tank and start to condense, triggering rust and corrosion
- Use a gas stabilizer agent instead when storing your lawnmower
To use a gas stabilizer, you’ll fill your tank almost entirely with fresh, clean unleaded gasoline. Then add a fuel stabilizer. You can use this with old fuel, but it’s best to use it when fresh.
Turn on your lawnmower and let the engine run for a few minutes to get the stabilizer running through your fuel lines and carburetor. Your lawn mower should be ready for storage now.
Do You Put Same Gas as Cars in Lawn Mowers?
Most lawnmowers work with the same gas you put in your car, but be sure to search for your lawnmower model and see what other people recommend online!
Older models of lawnmowers often don’t handle ethanol well.
Today’s gasoline contains up to 10% ethanol, so always check first before filling up at a gas station near you.
To make it easier on our lawnmower, we use automotive 87-octane gasoline with a fuel stabilizer.
Do You Add Oil Separately in Lawn Mower?
When it comes to maintaining your lawnmower, you’ll need to check and replace the oil from time to time.
You should change the oil for all new mowers after the first five hours of use; then, you’ll change it before a new mowing season in spring or summer. This also equates to about 50 hours of use.
Most lawn mowers have a separate oil chamber with an oil plug. You’ll need to check the oil filter to see if it’s filled with oil debris. If so, this should be replaced as well.
Lawn Mower Filters
Did you know that your lawnmower may also have oil and air filters? Depending on your model, you may have multiple filters that need to be checked periodically.
It’s best to replace an oil filter once a year or before heavy-duty lawn mowing in early spring and summer.
Doyle Mathews Lawn ExpertMost mowers have paper air filters that prevent any large particles from getting into the combustion chamber. You can find these filters located beneath the cover of your lawnmower, but it’s best to check your manual specifications.
Best Gas For Lawn Mower Reviews
TruFuel 4-Cycle Ethanol-Free Fuel – Best fuel for lawnmowers
TruFuel is the world’s cleanest fuel. With a pre-blended mix, TruFuel starts quickly and runs at peak performance. TruFilters keep you running smoothly with no smoke—meaning it’s easy to tell when it’s time to get new filters. Rest assured that this fuel will not void your warranty or reduce equipment life due to fouling from high aromatic content fuels. Made for outdoor power equipment, TruFuel delivers superior performance in all four-cycle engines and helps extend the life of your machinery. You’ll even enjoy easier start-up, increased trigger response, smoother idling, cleaner-burning without smoke!
- Save on fuel costs
- Cleaner-burning fuel, so your equipment will last longer
- Quick start uptime
VP Small Engine Fuels 6208 Ethanol-Free 4-Cycle Fuel
VP Small Engine Fuels are engineered to maintain your fuel system not only for the day but for years ahead. With our new VP Fuel Ethanol Free 4-Cycle Fuel, you won’t have to worry about it attracting moisture or oxidizing and forming gummy deposits in your carburetor. Plus, with a flashpoint of -22 degrees Fahrenheit, this fuel burns cleaner, maintaining maximum performance without jeopardizing engine life!
- No Ethanol, No Additives.
- Great for sensitive engines like hand-held lawnmowers and blowers
- Non-Premium but with all the benefits of Premium Fuel
- Great for California because there’s no risk of Blended E10 Fuels
- Leak issues during shipping
Stihl 7010 871 0203 Motomix 50:1 2 Cycle PreMix Fuel
Stihl is the name to trust when it comes to dependable garden implements, and now you can trust them with your prized 2-Cycle engine. Get the best of both worlds with a convenient 50:1 premixed fuel that makes life so much easier! Trust Stihl for everything from auto repairs, home appliances, power tools, lawn equipment, and tractor attachments – as well as this handy little pre-mixed fuel. It’s a no-brainer when it comes to small engine mixers. Make a good investment in your favorite gear by going with nothing but the finest quality like Stihl Premix Fuel Motomix 50:1 available right here.
- No more mixing gas and oil, just open the can
- Easy to pour and use for backup fuel
- Works perfectly with any 2-cycle small engine
- Reduces downtime because of keeping a peace of mind
- Overpriced
TruFuel 2-Cycle 40:1 Pre-Blended Fuel
TruFuel is your pre-blended fuel for portable gas-powered equipment; it has been specifically designed to work best with 2-cycle engines and provides consistent performance. Whether you’re using air dampers or throttles to control oil and fuel delivery, TruFuel ensures that there will be no smoke from your engine. With higher quality synthetic oils in the mix that protect against heat build-up and virtually zero aromatics, which lead to better burning, you can be sure you’re getting an excellent product here. The convenient aspect, in particular, is a big highlight – TruFuel saves time by delivering everything perfect for usage without any messy mixing yourself! And those handy benefits all go hand in hand with reducing chemical emissions into our environment!
- Long-term engine health
- Ethanol-free fuel that meets international standards
- 100% synthetic oil that exceeds test requirements for ISO L EGD and API TC
- Stabilizer to help prevent deposits on the valve seat, cylinderhead and pistons
- Too expensive for pro lawn service use
Goplus 20 Liter (5 Gallon) Jerry Fuel Can with Flexible Spout
Some might call it a “filler” fuel can, but we prefer to call it peace of mind. This 20 liter (5 gallons) Jerry fuel can from Goplus is perfect for transporting, storing, and dispensing oil- or gas-, based liquids in various environments with its tough steel construction and anti-corrosive coated paint inside and outside that eliminates the risks of rusting! Each can comes with a safety spout that locks onto the tank conveniently on one side to prevent spills–perfect when refueling your vehicle at an off-road destination!
The size and weight of these cans are compact and convenient for easy storage and transport. One Jerrycancano provides you with enough gas for 1 hour of mowing on a lawn – they can act as an emergency fuel supply in your car or home if the unfortunate should happen!
[su_row][su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Pros” box_color=”#009906″ radius=”0″][su_list icon=”icon: chevron-down” icon_color=”#00bb0c”]- 5 gallons
- Locking Lid & Anti-Leak Protection
- EPA and CARB Approved
- Prevent leakage with the spill-proof seal, provide a more secure guarantee
- Lightweight with compact size, easy to carry to any places you want
- Top-grade material and fine workmanship ensure its good durability and reliability
- Empty the can in seconds with the unique air breather
- Spot welded handles indicate that the manufacturer is from China, not the US
FAQ
How To Remove Gas From A Lawn Mower?
First of all, you need the fuel line disconnected (spark plug on lawnmower should be without fuel pipe). Secondly, take a liquid hand pump - one side should be in the gas tank, another in the gas can, and start pumping. That's it!
What Fuel Do You Use?
Whatever the manual calls for. Because different manufacturers make their own standards for various engines.
How much gas does a zero-turn mower hold?
The capacity of a zero-turn mower varies by model, but most can hold anywhere from .75 to over one gallon. Many owners purchase two or three gas cans when they buy their mowers toy with enough fuel available for extended projects without refueling constantly.
Conclusion
Fuel is essential to maintaining a long lifespan for your lawnmower. When considering the type of gas that would be best for your mower, keep in mind what kind of engine it has and how much power it needs. Most riding mowers use the same type of gas as cars, but there are some differences when using high ethanol gasoline, so avoid this if possible. You should also monitor oil levels and change filters regularly to optimize performance. What other tips can you think of?
